AN ACT CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY OF HOSPICE SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1.
Section 17b-28e of the 2008 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2009):

(a) [Not later than September 30, 2002, the Commissioner of Social Services shall submit an amendment to the Medicaid state plan to implement the provisions of public act 02-1 of the May 9 special session* concerning optional services under the Medicaid program.
]The Commissioner of Social Services shall amend the Medicaid state plan to include, on and after January 1, 2009, hospice services as optional services covered under the Medicaid program. Said state plan amendment shall supersede any regulations of Connecticut state agencies concerning such optional services.

(b)The Commissioner of Social Services shall amend the Medicaid state plan to include foreign language interpreter services provided to any beneficiary with limited English proficiency as a covered service under the Medicaid program.